 I love it when I am able to read quality fiction by fellow authors that I meet on Twitter. Ben the Dragonborn by Dianne Astle, @AstleDE, is no exception. This book is listed on Amazon for ages 9-15. No wonder I enjoyed it so much!
This was a fun read! I don't read too much middle-grade fiction, but the story proved engaging and well told. Appropriate for the intended age range, the suspense and conflict were moderate, but present. The story presented a great lesson on diversity and prejudice. The characters were likable and believable (at least as would be expected in the fantastical world created by the author). The use of an omniscient POV (point of view) keeps the reader from engaging as deeply as could have been the case. I would have preferred the author use a stronger POV to avoid the, at time jarring, head-hopping. Though I would have preferred a bit more development to the climax of the main storyline (perhaps more the age target than the writing), this book provided a creative glimpse into a world, or worlds, which I hope to read much more of in the future. Looking forward to book two.
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 Throughout history, the deepest truths have been communicated through story. Some stories are real. Memoirs, biographies, even the Bible is primarily story. God's story. Stories of real people, real events, and real results. Why would God choose to reveal Himself through story?
In an excellent article for Psychology Today, Peter Guber discusses the power of story. Story speaks directly to the heart. He uses a great term, state-of-the-heart. If you want to change minds, bypass barriers, and communicate in ways that transcend cultural differences, start with the heart, not the mind. Non-fiction--facts, charts, description, definitions, etc.--speak to the head, at best. We live in a society that seeks to impart knowledge and change opinions through the presentation of facts. Non-fiction and self-help books abound for practically every aspect of life, business, or ministry. Yet I have to wonder, is all this information fed to the brain making life-changing difference in people's lives? Don't get me wrong, there is certainly a place for summarized factual information in the education process. In fact, I am currently working on a discipleship curriculum that seeks to communicate the core beliefs that followers of Christ should know and implement in their lives. If I didn't believe this can have an impact, I wouldn't be investing significant time to this project. We need to be careful not to abandon the use of story, both real and fictional, to communicate complex truths and transform lives. Stop and ask yourself, when is the last time you saw a movie based on the facts of a self-help book? Our creator God, is the original source of creativity. He created us with that same ability to create. What better way to use that creativity to impact lives and hearts than through the creation of story? 'Till next time! |
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